Pricing your features is one of the hardest business decisions an indie artist faces. Price too high and the verses stop coming. Price too low and you signal that your name is not worth anything — while burning hours you could spend on your own catalog. The right price is the one that respects your leverage and keeps you working.
Start with honest math: what does a verse cost you in time, and what does your name add to their record? If you have real streaming numbers, press, or a following, that is leverage — charge for it. If you are still building, a lower price with more placements builds the catalog and relationships that justify raises later. Research what artists at your level actually charge by asking managers and peers — the going rate in your scene is your starting anchor, not your ceiling.
A practical pricing framework
Set a base rate for a 16-bar verse, then add for hooks, ad-libs, music video appearances, and promotional posts — each is a separate line item, not a favor. Emerging artists typically charge $100-500 per verse; mid-level indies with real traction charge $500-2,500; established names go far higher. Put the terms in writing: payment timeline (half upfront is standard), turnaround time, number of revisions, and who owns what.
Raise your price when demand forces you to — when you are turning work down, you are too cheap. And never do free features for exposure unless the exposure is measurable and in writing. Your verse is inventory. Price it like it. Get the payment before you send the final stems, and watermark your previews if you are working with strangers.
About the Author – Ruben Burgos: Ruben Burgos brings over 25 years of music expertise and more than 15 years of model guidance to the table. He is the indie major pinnacle to retaining credits for musicians and helping them navigate this wicked industry without the fuckery.